Metal pipe forming machine



April 10, 1934. E, WHEELER METAL PIPE FORMING MACHINE Filed March 19.19152 4 Sheets-Sheet l April l0. 1934.

l E. WHEELER 1,954,160

kMETAL PIPE FORMING MACHINE Filed Mgroh y19. 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2:E'gg.E .97

April 10, E. WHEELER 1,954,160

METAL PIPE FORMING MACHINE Filed March 19. 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4IM/ENTOR.

ma@ Zaw@ I TTORNE Y.

Patented Apr. '10, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE lVIETAL PIPE FORMINGMACHINE Application March 19, 1932, Serial No. 599,897

s claims.

This invention relatesA generally to pipe forming apparatus, morespecifically to apparatus for forming pipe or conduits from sheet metal.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an apparatusof the character referred to constructed in such a manner that a A pipeor conduit may be formed continuously adjacent a ditch or in thelocality Where pipe lines are to be laid, thereby eliminating thenecessity l0 of transporting sections of pipe and at the same timesaving the time and labor required to join such sections of pipetogether.

Another object is to provide a portable pipe forming apparatus'soconstructed that pipe may be formed continuously from flat sheet` metalknown to the trade as steel skelpwound on reels by rs't converting thesame into a cylindrical shape during movement of the apparatus,

then joining the abutting edges together by electric welding.

Another object is to provide an apparatus for lforming sheet iron pipecontinuously constructed in such a manner that the pipe may be tested asit is formed for leakage without stopping the operation of theapparatus.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from lthe followingdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. in which:

Fig. l is a top plan view of the improved pipe forming apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, parts being broken away and shown inmsection.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the apparatus taken in the directionindicated by the arrow 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a detailed section taken on line -5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal section taken through the actual pipeforming apparatus as indicated by line 6-6 of- Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a section taken online '7-7 of Fig. l6.

vpassing thereover, while spindles 34 and bearings .forming rollersgenerally designated at 38 which end of the Wrapping device as indicatedby line ll-ll of Fig. 10.

Fig. l2 is a section taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 10.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, 10 60 generally designatesthe vehicle employed in connection with the pipe forming apparatus.Vehicle l0 is propelled preferably by a gas engine l1 and is preferablyprovided with caterpillar treads l2 extending around sprockets 13,secured 65 to the front and rear axles 14, the latter being driventhrough chains l5 extending around sprockets 16 secured to the rearaxles and over sprockets 18 secured to aA 'counter-shaft 19, which inturn is driven through reduction gearing (not 7o showni' mounted in agear case-20 and interconnected with a drive shaft 2l.

Drive shaft 2l is connected with the crankshaft 22 of the engine throughthe usual selective speed gear transmission (not shown) mounted in acase 23, it being understood that the steering of the vehicle may becontrolled in the usual manner generally employed in the caterpillartype of tractors.

Referring to Fig. 3, the front and rear axles 14 80 are rotatablymounted in housings 24 rigidly secured to longitudinal channels 25 whichin turn are interconnected with underslung braces 26 and overhead framesgenerally designated at 27.

Secured to channels 25 intermediate their ends are bearings 28 whichserve to pivotally support a trame 30 in which in turn is pivotallymounted a second frame 31 which carries a platform 32. the frame 30being provided with oppositely disposed trunnions 33 extending into thebearings 90 28 while the second frame 3l is provided with verticallydisposed spindles 34 extending into bearings 35 carried by frame 30.

'I'he trunnions 33 and bearings 28 permit tilting of the vehicle dueto'undulations in the road while 95 35 allowv turning in eitherdirection without twisting or distorting pipe as it is being formed.

Mounted in frame 31 is an assembly of pipe /f kcoact with an arbor ormandrel 39 in forming the 10o 'pipe P from sheets or strips of sheetmetal desigof each set have a conical face formed on a radiuscorresponding to the exterior diameter of the pipe being formed, and areformed in two `parts urged into engagement with each other by expansioncoil springs 46a which encircle the' respective shafts and are disposedbetween the bearings and the outer races of antifriction bearings 47,the latter being provided to prevent twisting of the springs duringrotation of the rollers.

Upper set of rollers 43 are urged into engagement with the lower set ofrollers by expansion coil springs 48 encircling rods 50, the lower endsof which are connected to the bearings 45 while their upper ends areslidably mounted in openings formed in a plate 46h that extends acrossand is secured to the side members 47.

The rollers are formed in two parts in order that they may separate topermit the weld indicated at W connecting the adjoining ends of thesections of strips/ S during formation of the pipe, the springs 46a and48 simultaneously yielding suiiiciently to allow such separation.

Springs 48 also serve to hold the upper set ofV rollers in engagementwith the pipe but are prevented from exerting pressure on the shafts bycollars 51 secured to the upper end of the rods which engage lugs52formed/on the plate.

Mandrel 39 is in the form of a cylindrical body 54 having a round orhemispherical end 55 terminating in a neck. 56 which extends through anopening formed in the lower end of a member 57 rigidly secured to plate46a, the mandrel being connected to the member by a collar 58 screwthreaded or otherwise secured to the neck.

As previously referred to, the pipe is formed from the strips S,(skelp), the strips being wound on spools or reels R adapted to bemounted on the body of a motor vehicle arranged to travel forwardly ofthe apparatus, the strips being unwound and looped as indicated at L inorderthat the weld W will be formed on the outside of the pipe, suchweld being formed on a .suitable table or plate 60.

The strip extends from the plate 60 and passes between a pair of primaryforming rollers 61 and 62 having concave and convex faces respectivelyas clearly shown in Fig. 8.

Roller 62 is secured to a shaft 63 journalled in bearings 64 rigidlymounted on the platform adjacent its forward end While roller 61 issecured to a shaft 64 journalled in bearings 65 connected to the lowerends of rods 66, slidably mounted in openings formed in a plate 67secured to the upper ends of side members 68 of a frame 69. Roller 61 isurged into engagement with roller 62 by expansion coil springs 70encircling the rods between the bearings 65 and plate 67. The springsare of weld W to pass between the two rollers.

It will be apparent that as the apparatus is moved forwardly the strip Swill be changed from a at to a cylindrical shape providing that thestrip is held relatively stationary. This is accomplished by rst weldingor otherwise securing a joint of pipe designated at J to the end of thestrip, then passing it through the forming rollers 38 and a wrapping`mechanism generally desig, nated at M and anchoring it to the ground asindicated at A in Figs. 1 and 2.

The meeting edges of the tube or cylinder th formed are joined togetherby electricwelding indicated at L.. This is accomplished by an apparatusdesignated at 71 adan' automatically feed a welding rod 72 disposedbetween the rear upper set of rollers 43, the Weld being prevented fromfusing with the mandrel by a copper plate `74 engaging the ixmer face ofthe tube directly below said rod.

Plate 74 is pivotally mounted as indicated at 75 within a recess 76formed in the mandrel and is urged upwardly by an expansion coil spring77.

Electric energy for operating the welding apparatus is supplied by agenerator G mounted on a platform 78 that extends across and is securedto the frames 27 adjacent one side thereof. The generator is driven by agas engine 79 through a chain and sprocket transmission connected with amain drive shaft 80 mounted on the platform.

As pipe P is being formed it is adapted to be tested for leakage aroundthe welded joints W and L.. This is accomplished by admitting compressedair into the pipe etween a pair of pistons or heads 82 arranged t ereinrearwardly of the mandrel. Each head 82 consists of a pair of metaldiscs 83 and a flexible member 84 disposed therebetween. The heads areheld in spaced relation by a tube 85 having flanges or shoulders 86engaging the faces of the inner discs, the heads being connectedtogether by nuts or the like 87 threaded or Welded to the projectingends of said tube.

Compressed air is supplied through a pipe 88, the rear end of whichextends between and is connected to the heads by nuts or collars 89, theend of the pipe being closed and having one or more apertures formedtherein between the heads. Pipe 88 extends through a bore 90 formed inthe mandrel, projects forwardly therefrom as shown in Fig. 6, and isconnected through a suitshaft through a chain and sprocket transmis-lsion designated at 98.

Rotatably mounted in tube 85 and an aligned opening formed inthe mandrelis a pipe 100 through which asphaltum, tar paint or the like isintroduced toCcoat the interior of the pipe. The portion of pipe 100extending rearwardly from the mandrel is provided with a plurality ofradially disposed nozzles 101, while its opposite end extends into afitting 102 through a suitable packing gland 103. A pipe 104 isconnected to the fitting 102 and to a force pump 105 (mounted onplatform 78) through a flexible conduit 106 while the'suction side ofthepump in turn is connected to a receptacle 107 adapted to hold a supplyof the paint employed.

Pipe 100 is adapted to be rotated continuously in order that the paintmay be evenly distributed over the internal surface of the pipe. 'I'hisis effected by transmission interconnected with the drive shaft arrangedas follows: Secured to pipe 100 is a bevel gear '108 which meshes withthe complementary gear 109 secured to the lower end of a verticallydisposed shaft 110 mounted in bearings 111 carried by the member 57 andavbracket 112 extending upwardly from plate 4Gb of frame 31.

Secured 'to the upper end of shaft 110 is a bevel gear 113 which mesheswith a gear 114 secured to a short shaft 115 mounted in a bearing 116rigidly connected to the bracket 112.

Referring to Fig. 5, shaft 115 is connected 119 journalled in bearings120 mounted on the platform, one member of the joint 117 being providedwith a non-circular shank slidably mounted in a sleeve 122 carried bytheopposite member of joint 118. The above. assembly is provided in orderto accommodate relative movement between platforms 32 and 78 duringmovement of the apparatus. Shaft 119 is driven from drive shaft -89through chain and sprocket transmission designated at 123.

As previously referred to, heads 82 and pipe 85 remain stationary duringthe interval pipe P is being tested for leakage, while the mandrel andassociated parts move forwardly. Hence it is necessary to return orrestorethe heads to their original position (that is, in a positionshown in Fig. 6) in order that the testing operation may be repeated. Tothis end pipe 85 is then connected through a cable 124 and to the lowerIend of ra lever 125 pivotally mounted as indicated at 125a to astandard 126 secured to platform 32, the cable being connected to an'eyeor the like 91a. secured to the fitting 91 and extending therefromaround a pulley 127 carried by a bracket 128 also secured to theplatform.

Heads 82 form what may be termed an airtight compartment withinwthe pipewhich remains relatively stationary therewith during movement of theapparatus. Hence, in order to move the heads Within said pipe it isnecessary l to first cut off the admission of compressed air `upon theair is iirst cut olf and then released, it

being understood that during such movement the position of lever willhave been reversed. It is then only necessary to pull forwardlyon saidlever to restore the heads to their original position. It will beobvious that any leakage in the welded joints W and L may be detected byapplying liquid thereto, and any leaks which may appear may be closedwith spot welding operations.

Referring to Fig. 9, a burner designated at B is provided to heat thepipe P prior to application of the paint in order 'that it will morereadily adhere thereto and at the sare time quickly dry. Burner B ispreferably in the form of a perforated pipe 132 which encircles pipe Pand is supplied with hydro-carbon fuel from a storage tank 133 mountedon platform 3 2 through a pipe 134. Compressed air is admitted to thetank 133 above the liquid level therein through a iiexible conduit 135connected to pipe line 94 in order to induce a flow of fuel to theburner.

Wrapping mechanism M shown in detail in Figs. 10, 11 and 12 consists of'a bearing 138 (mounted on platform .32) in which is rotatably mounted atubular member 139 which in` turn carries a pair of spools 140 adaptedto receive rollsof paper and ,wrap the same around pipe' P in4 order toprotect it against rust or corrosion as indlcated at T. Y

Each spool 140 is notably mounted on a spindle 141 secured to orformedintegral with a segmental worm wheel 142 pivotally mounted on a' fpaper as it is wrapped on thepipe. The supply stud or the like 143projecting from a bracket 144 secured to member 139. Worm wheels 142mesh with worms 145 secured to shaft 146 mounted in bearings 147 carriedby the bracket 144, and secured to the outer ends of said shafts arecranks 148 by which the angularity of the spools may be adjusted inrelation to the axis of the pipe P. Such adjustment is provided in orderthat the number of layers of paper ywrapped on the pipe may be varied.In theA present instance the spools are set to wrap the paper inoverlapping layers. It will be understood that two spools are providedin order that a reserve supply will be available when paper of one rollhas been exhausted.

Tensioning devices designated at 149 consist of bands 150 encirclingdrums 151 carried by the Yspools 140 and are provided in order that thepaper may be tightly wrapped on the pipe, one end of said bands beingconnected to arms 152 projecting from the spindles while the oppositeends are connected by retractile coil springs 153.

Secured to the forward end pf member 139 is a gear 154 which meshes witha pinion 155 secured to the countershaft of a selective speedtransmission (not shown) arranged in a case 156 mounted on the platform32 through which the revolutions per minute, or rate of rotation of themember 139 may be varied according to the speed of the apparatus inorder that the paper will not become broken or twisted during wrappingof it on the pipe.

Secured to the main shaft 157vof the transmission above referred to is abevel gear 158 which meshes with a complementary gear 159 secured to ashaft 160 journalled in a bearing 161 mounted on the platform 32. 'Iheshaft 160 journalled in a bearing 161 mounted on the platform 32. Theshaft 160 is connected through universal joints 162 and 163 to a shaft164 journalled in a bearing 165 mounted on one of the channels 25, 115the latter being driven through chain and sprocket Vtransmission 166from the counter-shaft 19.

Member 139 is arranged to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow167 and during its 120 rotation liquid adhesive material is appliedtothe of such mate is carried in a tank 167 and is conveyed the romthrough a flexible conduit 169 to an annular recess 170 formed `in thebear- 125 ing 138 by a pump 171 mounted on Vthe platform and driventhrough chain and sprocket transmission 172 from the drive shaft 80.

The adhesivematerial fed into the recess passes therefrom through ports173 formed in 130 pipe line 94 in order that compressed airlmay beadmitted thereto toclean out and prevent clogging of such partsafter-stopping' operation of the apparatus.

' In operation: AThe apparatusand vehicle are' moved forwardly at'comparatively slow speed during which time the pipe will be formed inthe manner above described. The portion of the strip extending betweenthe vehicle and apparatus may 150 ing the pipe for leakage.

2. In a pipe forming apparatus, ka movable structure, means forconverting a at strip held against movement into a tubular shape, meansfor joining the meeting edges together to form a pipe continuouslycarried by said structure, a pair of interconnected heads arranged toform a compartment within the pipe reawardly of the tube forming andjoining means, and means for introducing iiuid under pressure betweensaid heads whereby any leakage in the pipe may be detected.

3. In a pipe forming apparatusa movablel structure, means for convertinga flat strip held against movement into a tubular shape, means forjoining the meeting edges together to form a pipe continuously carriedby said structure, a pair of interconnected-heads arranged to form acompartment within the pipe rearwardly of the tube forming and joiningmeans, means for introducing fluid under pressure between said headswhereby any leakage in :the pipe may be detected, and means for movingsaid heads within the pipe.

4. In a pipe forming apparatus, a movable structure, means forconverting'a at strip held against movement into a tubular shape, meansfor joining the meeting edges together` to form a pipe continuouslycarried by said structure, a pair of interconnected heads arranged toform a compartment within the pipe rearwardly of the tube forming andjoining means, means for introducing fluid under pressure between saidheads whereby anylealcage in the pipe may be detected, means for movingsaid heads within the pipe, and means for automatically controlling the`admission and release of uid under pressure between said heads wherebysaid heads may be moved within thepipe after testing the same.

5. In a pipe forming apparatus, a power operated structure arranged tomove in one direction, means for converting a flat strip held againstmovement into a tubular shape and means for 'joining the meeting edgestogether to form a 4' pip'e continuously carried by said structure, a

pair ofv interconnected heads arranged to form a compartment within thepipe rearwardly of the tube forming and joining means, means forcreating fluid pressure carried by said structure, and a conduit leadingfrom said fluid pressure creating means and `communicating with thespace between said heads. 6. In a pipe forming apparatus, a poweroperated structure arranged to move in one direction, means forconverting a at strip held against movement into a tubular shape andmeans for joining the meeting edges together to form a pipe continuouslycarried by said structure, a

pair of interconnectedheads arranged to form a compartment within thepipe rearwardly of the tube forming and joining means, means forcreating fluid pressure carried by said structure, a

conduit leading from vsaid fluid pressure creating means andcommunicating with the space bet

